People tend to fall into two camps – they either love it or hate it. Whatever your view there is no denying that people spend a lot of money on Valentines Day – a cool £380 million pounds apparently. So whichever camp you fall into it can bring you out in a cold sweat.

The people who love it, spend a fortune and love all the attention. The people who hate it, either because they never get anything or because they end up spending a fortune on over priced flowers tend to be rather resentful.

Then you have those people who have no one special in their lives and will spend the next two weeks in hibernation.

This got me to thinking – I wonder what Valentine would have made of all this fuss if he was still around? I suspect he would be mortified. Legend has it he was a very popular Roman Priest.

So I guess he would want love to be sent to those people who have no one special to receive a Valentine…. now wouldn’t that be a good idea. A special day for people who have not got anyone special.

Although Valentines day used to be just a romantic celebration for couples (I can almost visibly hear some of you moaning). It has now morphed into a little bit of love and affection which you can show anyone.

You know … the kids make you cards. You rush into your favourite chocolate shop and buy them a little chocolate heart. OK I admit it, I am a marketing man’s dream – I fall for all the advertising tricks every time.

Well I guess Valentine would at least approve of that. But sometimes I do think these things go a little to far – even if the intention is good.

At my children’s school, each child pays £1 to give special friends, girls or boys a carnation flower. Sounds a great idea to raise money for charity.

But….the thing is the whole process has become very competitive. Apparently the more carnations you get the more popular you are. And if you don’t have any special friends (or be part of a friendship group who all agree to send each other flowers you can end up with none.)

Not a great way of building self-esteem for those who have difficulty in mixing with their peers. Thankfully, both my girls claim they have never been one of the poor souls that get none, but also have never made double figures, like some of their more popular mates.

That is the Valentines conundrum.

So anyway I think that Valentines Day should be a special day for those people who have not get anyone special, to receive a little love and attention – and guess what, I think St Valentine would have approved of that.

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